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‘Idol Worship Forbidden’: Ashoka Emblem at Kashmir’s Hazratbal Shrine Draws Anger, Plaque Broken by Protesters

Kashmir Hazratbal shrine

A fresh controversy has erupted in Kashmir after the national emblem was engraved on the inauguration plaque inside the Hazratbal Shrine, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Many locals and political leaders have objected, saying that placing figures or symbols inside Muslim places of worship goes against the Islamic principle of monotheism.

The shrine recently underwent a major renovation, and the reconstruction project was inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board chairperson Dr Darakhshan Andrabi. However, devotees who visited the shrine after the inauguration expressed anger over the presence of the Ashoka emblem on the stone plaque.

“It is shameful that the Waqf Board has been insensitive to the religious sentiments of Muslims in J&K,” said a devotee.

National Conference (NC) spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq also criticised the move. “I’m not a religious scholar, but in Islam, idol worship is strictly forbidden — the gravest of sins. The foundation of our faith is Tawheed. Placing a sculpted figure at the revered Hazratbal Dargah goes against this very belief. Sacred spaces must reflect only the purity of Tawheed, nothing else,” he wrote on X.

On Friday, people broke the inauguration plaque with stones, removing the emblem.

Reacting strongly, Dr Andrabi called those responsible “terrorists” and demanded their immediate arrest. “When I saw the emblem broken, it felt like a cloudburst had struck me,” she said at a press conference held at the shrine.

She blamed political leaders for provoking the incident and warned of strict action. “FIRs, including under the PSA, will be lodged against all culprits. I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji to direct security agencies to arrest those terrorists. Action must also be taken against the MLA who tweeted to provoke the matter,” she said.

Dr Andrabi said that Waqf affairs should remain free from politics. “Our only mission is to safeguard shrines and reinforce people’s faith. Those conspiring to sabotage this sacred work will be exposed and dealt with sternly,” she added.

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